Saxon Mak's - good/ok?

[csb (Craig)]

I am curious to know what the Saxon Mak-Cassegrain telescopes are like for visual observing.

Can some people who have actually viewed through either 6" or 8", AND can give comparison to other MC's or SCT's, please post your opinions.

They seem heavier than other brands, is this so?

Thanks

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Hi Craig , My old club back in NZ . Northland astronomical Club . has a Saxon 6 inch f13 . nearly a 2000mm focal lenght so a 10mm eyepiece gives 200x , awsome for the moon and planets . Really good on double stars because 6 inches is a good amount of light to magnify .
Hope you are still with me ?
The optics of ours was as sharp and well corrected as any 6 inch scope , myself and other more experenced observers have looked thru , I have an awsome 6 inch f8 refractor and the Saxon mak was right there , because of its effortless , easy high magnification , and here lies their problem , its not saxon , sky watcher , meade of any other manufactures problem , its in the Mak design .
High powers are easy , that ='s small field of view , and that ='s, harder to use as a beginner .
But the main Mak fall down is the cool down time , eg the glass has to reach equiblirum , and the Mak's have lots of nice glass to cool down.
Our Saxon Mak is a really good scope but the cool down times put a lot of people off , hence a small refractor to use while the Mak cools ?
Good scopes but not for every one .
Brian.

[csb (Craig)]

About 3 years ago I actually had a look through a Saxon 6" Mak but it had not cooled down so image was poor - difficult to get sharp image and seemed off-colour. So not a reliable viewing far ascertaining performance.

Thanks for your comments, Brian. Cool down time is important. And having another scope on hand would certainly help with the waiting.

How does the image compare with other brands?

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

You are right Craig, the cool down time is the major issue with the Mak design , at least 1 to 1 1/2 hours , and thats a long time if you want to have a "Quick" look , thats why I suggest a small refractor or newtonion reflector to use as the mak cools .
On the question as to its performance against other brands? I have 2 Saxon refractors ,an ED80 and a Chromocorr'd 6 inch f8 and they are both very very good! , my ed 80 is as good as an APO 80mm can be and my 6 inch holds its own against a friends 10k Astrophysics 6 inch Starfire . Very Very good .
I have heard that Saxon test every scope they sell and send back the ones that are not up to their standard , A lot like Orion in the USA , and they are very well respected world wide .
Dont forget what all Saxon , Skywatcher , Orion to name a few are all made by one company in China ." Synta ".
so if what I have been told of Saxon that they do test each scope ,( As I say I have 2 and they are as good as they can be under their design perameters ) I beileve they do test as I have not heard of a bad one , Mate go for it but be aware of the Maksutov Design ,long cool down and quite heavy .
Awsome planetary and Luna scope , so if the price is right and its what you want ( Need?) Go for it
Brian.

Originally Posted by csb

About 3 years ago I actually had a look through a Saxon 6" Mak but it had not cooled down so image was poor - difficult to get sharp image and seemed off-colour. So not a reliable viewing far ascertaining performance.

Thanks for your comments, Brian. Cool down time is important. And having another scope on hand would certainly help with the waiting.

How does the image compare with other brands?

[csb (Craig)]

Thanks again Brian.

Very helpful opinion.

I have put my name down for a 6" Saxon Mak that is currently in the classifieds. Your post helped me decide the scope will be suitable for me.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Sweet mate is the one you are looking at the $250 one? . Mate thats a steal Go for it , I would but as you know i already have 2 off 6 inch refractors .
Good luck Craig .
Let us know if you get it , and a few photos is always good.
Brian.

Originally Posted by csb

Thanks again Brian.

Very helpful opinion.

I have put my name down for a 6" Saxon Mak that is currently in the classifieds. Your post helped me decide the scope will be suitable for me.

[csb (Craig)]

Yes, it's that scope at a great price.

I see the Meade LX50 (also advertised) has same colour scheme. Possibly same era?

Now I have to sort out what to keep and what to sell of my other scopes - only 2 others.

[csb (Craig)]

The Saxon 150mm Mak arrived yesterday.

Very clean scope.

I was able to view near full moon and also Jupiter last night.

Good detail on the moon and I could easily see the 2 dark bands on Jupiter.

Very happy with this purchase - thanks Scorpius51